Questions, questions

You will have seen it before, even if you don't know what it's called. In fact, everybody seems a little confused regarding the accepted terminology for when two people bump their fists together in the manner of tennis doubles partners who have just scored a crucial point.

Since Barack Obama and his wife knocked knuckles just prior to his victory speech the week before last, the American press have variously described it as a "fist bump", a "pound" or a "dap greeting", while the New York Times opted for the excruciating "close-fisted high-five".

For the terrorism angle, however, we must credit Fox News Channel presenter ED Hill, who introduced an item about Mr and Mrs Obama's affectionate and wholly unremarkable little tap with the words: "A fist bump? A pound? A terrorist fist jab? The gesture everyone seems to interpret differently."

The trouble with Hill's assertion was that she appeared to have coined the term "terrorist fist jab" herself. The only other record of a similar phrase was in the comments section of a blog on the creepy conservative website HumanEvents.com, where some anonymous crank referred to it as "Hezbollah-style fist-jabbing".

The comment was quickly removed from public view and, despite a half-hearted apology, so was Hill: Fox News cancelled her show.

The Wikipedia entry for "dap greeting" briefly and belatedly entertained the contention that the gesture is "also used by underground terrorist cells", but there is no evidence that this is true, and if terrorists do give each other fist pounds it's almost certainly something they picked up from either the NBA or from repeats of the US version of Deal or No Deal, where the pound is the standard greeting and all-purpose good luck sign.

For many, the Fox News gaffe is part of a wider smear campaign against Obama, but this is really about the US media being completely bewildered - and idiotically distracted - by a gesture that is, in America and across the world, familiar and utterly commonplace.

Whatever you call it.Tim Dowling

What will Oxford get from Kevin Spacey?

For a start, it will get the glamour of Spacey's name and fame. But they're used to that at St Catherine's College, where Spacey will be based as Cameron Mackintosh visiting professor of contemporary theatre. Previous Yanks at Oxford, who have occupied the post, include Arthur Miller and Stephen Sondheim.

The list of visiting British profs also boasts Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Nicholas Hytner and Richard Eyre. Like his predecessors, Spacey will be required to give three public lectures providing some insight into his working methods. Peter Shaffer, when he was the incumbent, talked rivetingly about playwriting and the influence on him of a Liverpool teacher who narrated the plot of Hamlet in weekly instalments.

And Oxford will expect Spacey to talk about his role as director of the Old Vic and about his vast experience as a stage and movie actor. But a lot of Spacey's input will be away from public gaze in the form of workshops with aspiring students. This is where the professorship can make a practical difference: Patrick Stewart let students in to rehearsals of his Macbeth, Stephen Sondheim taught the art of composition and lyric-writing to musical enthusiasts, Phyllida Lloyd gave master-classes in directing. Given that Spacey regularly conducts seminars for student actors at the Old Vic, he should have no problem with this. The public, if they can bag a ticket for his lectures, will see something of Spacey the performer.

But the real benefit will be for the students who can tap into Spacey's technical expertise as actor and director. There is even a follow-up for the lucky few. Thelma Holt, a previous visiting professor, arranges attachments in the professional theatre for selected students: only last week she placed a young director with Peter Brook in Paris.

So Spacey should bring a lot to Oxford. At the same time, he can expect stage-struck students to work him hard and extract every last ounce of his accumulated knowledge.Michael Billington

How do you stand in a byelection?

If you are a sitting MP, such as David Davis, the first step is to trigger the contest by resigning. That sounds easy, but is complicated by a 17th-century parliamentary resolution. But once the ball is rolling, the paperwork will be simple for Davis and former Sun editor Kelvin MacKenzie, who is considering a challenge - and anyone else. Well, not quite anyone - lords, bishops and long-term prisoners are among those barred from standing. So, too, are some civil servants, most foreign nationals and people under 18. There is a ban of sorts on lunatic candidates. Next, approach the electoral office of the local council and ask for the nomination papers. Your next task is befriending 10 voters to help fill them in: a proposer, a seconder and eight other "subscribers" must endorse your candidacy. Add your signature to a second paper to confirm you are happy. Stick both forms in an envelope, together with £500.

The £500 is your deposit; it is designed to put off time-wasters as you get it back only if you get at least 5% of the vote. In a typical seat that might be about 2,000 votes. Sometimes publicity alone is enough, but often not: Miss Great Britain made a frivolous run in Crewe last month and made the papers, but got just 113 votes and forfeited her cash. Standing for election, just for fun, may be easy. But that is not the same as free. Tom Clark

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